THE FIELD IS THE WORLD by Editor

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jul 21, 1881

THE FIELD IS THE WORLD.

By Editor

WE have been led to some very solemn reflections by a conversation held with a dear brother, who gave expression to the feelings of those in his neighborhood, concerning the lack of ministerial labor among them. "We pay our tithes," said he, "but it is seldom that a minister visits us, and we feel that we are neglected."

Our sympathy is always stirred by these appeals, and perhaps if it were in our power to order it otherwise, it would be otherwise. Whether it would be better, if we could govern all such cases, we are not prepared to say. We have a great deal of trust in God's providential care of his cause and his people; and when we do the best we can, under our circumstances, it is then both our privilege and our duty to rest in God, and believe that he who knows best will order for the best. Our principal object in noticing this is to correct what we consider are grave misapprehensions of the nature of our work on the part of those who view matters in the light indicated by the words quoted above.

1. It has always been the settled policy of the Seventh-day Adventists to extend the knowledge of the present truth as far as it was in their power, and not keep it in narrow limits, or spend their time and efforts among those who have already received it. This was not altogether a matter of choice, but of necessity. The field is too wide, the work is too great, and the laborers are too few, to admit of settling pastors over our churches, or even to give regular preaching to all companies of believers. And though we have accepted this order of things as a necessity, we believe that it is better for the churches. While they rely upon their own efforts to keep up their meetings, and cheerfully give of their means to send the solemn words of warning to those who are in darkness, there is little danger of their light going out. But if they lean upon a preacher to keep up their interest in religious matters, and lose their earnest desire for the spread of the truth among their fellow-men, their graces will decline and soon grow dim.

2. Our work is peculiarly a missionary work. Our message is to be carried to "many peoples and nations and tongues and kings." Time is short, the work is great, and the laborers are few. And, considering the nature and extent of the work, the laborers will be few.

We cannot reasonably expect that we shall have ministers enough to carry this message to all places. Years ago it was plainly seen and strongly realized that some other means, in addition to the ministry, must be resorted to in order to reach the world. Our Tract and Missionary Societies were formed with this fact in view. Their organization was more than timely—it was truly providential. And they have accomplished two important purposes: they have been the means of sending the truth to untold thousands, and also of keeping alive the spirit of the message in the hearts of the missionary workers. Let it be accepted as a truth, worthy of constant remembrance, that a diligent worker cannot become indifferent. If our T. and M. Societies did no more than to keep our people alive in missionary labor, they would be well worthy of being maintained. But they have done much more; there are many who are now rejoicing in the truth who received it by means of these societies, and who could not have been reached by any other means. They are peculiarly adapted to our work, because it is emphatically a missionary work.

3. It is not enough to do that which is right; it must be done in a right manner, and with a right motive. He who strives is not crowned, except he strive lawfully. 2 Tim. 2:5. To give, is a Christian duty; but the motive must be right in order to get the gift acceptable to God. Is it so, that we should pay our tithes to insure a certain benefit—a consideration, in this life? And if that benefit were received, would we be willing to hear our Judge say, in the day of rewards, "ye have had your reward"? We think not one would be satisfied to take this view of his own case. He would wish to have some of his reward in reserve for the world to come. And we should take the past into consideration as well as the future. What have we already received of the Lord? How do we value the truth which God so graciously sent to us, not because of what we had done, but of his love and mercy, before we had done anything in his cause? Have we so little thankfulness for past favors—is the truth we possess of so little worth to us—that we may reasonably cease our efforts to extend its knowledge, or withhold the tokens of our gratitude? Suppose we should never hear another sermon, should we, therefore, never do anything more in the cause of God? that would surely indicate very erroneous views of obligation to God and to his cause. What has the truth not done for us, unless we have believed in vain? Would you be willing to take back all your offerings, and in return be deprived of the knowledge of the present truth? We know what your answer is. Not all the world could purchase from you the grace from on high which this precious truth has already bestowed on you. Let us not, then, suffer the enemy to rob us of the blessing by leading us to murmur against, or to distrust, the providence of God.

4. Compare your position with that of those who embrace Christianity in heathen lands. In China there is a company who keep the Sabbath of the Lord, and who, for a number of years, were deprived of the ministrations of their brethren in America by whom they received the truth. But they hold on, faithful and true; and year after year their letters to their American brethren breathed the most sincere affection and regard, and earnest devotion to the cause of Christ, which was so dear to their hearts. How feeble are our faith and our devotion to principle, compared to theirs. But we have a higher example than this; Jesus, our Master and our Leader, of whom the prophet said he should not fail nor be discouraged. How little to encourage, how much to discourage, he met in his life on the earth. He looked beyond this life; and so should we. "Consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds."

Brethren and sisters, bear in mind that those who bear burdens in this work, the officers of our Conferences, can no more do everything that they may wish to do, than you can. Their ability has a limitation. Days of toil and sleepless nights they pass, while considering the wants of this cause, and making efforts to meet those wants. Our Father is merciful—Jesus is compassionate. They know our every want, they hear the breathing of every desire. When the powers of our brethren fail, let us carry our petitions to the throne of grace, and there urge for an increase of laborers to be sent forth into the harvest.

And let us believe in the power of the present truth to keep us, even if we are deprived of much-desired Christian association. If we cannot enjoy "the communion of saints," we can commune with our Saviour, in all places and at all times. If we cannot have the presence of the shepherds which he has ordained to feed the flock, we may yet draw near to "the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls." If we cannot see as many of our neighbors embrace the truth as would please us, let us be cheered with the tidings of its progress "among the nations of the earth and the islands of the sea."

It has been thus, in the providence of God, from the beginning of the work of this message; the light has gone from place to place, from State to State, without stopping to thoroughly canvass even a single county. The light spreads now from nation to nation; and thus the whole world is being prepared for the grand closing work. All our ministers might find plenty to do in one State; but it would take an age to warn the world in that manner. The writer has always felt thankful that the truth passed directly over from the center of Michigan to west of the Wisconsin river. And so with all of us. Where would we be this day if urgent calls had kept the ministers in a more limited field of labor?

Let us all cultivate a missionary spirit, according to the nature of the work in which we are engaged. It should be the highest joy of every one who has received the truth to do his utmost to give the truth to others. It is a passport to "the joy of the Lord," to be instrumental in bringing others to the reception of the truth. "They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars for ever and ever." And "it is more blessed to give than to receive." Passive people may receive, but giving indicates activity; it is the evidence of life. Work, brethren, work, and you will find such blessings that you cannot get discouraged.